Tuhafut al-Falasifah – Incoherence of the Philosophers | Imam al-Ghazali | English Translation

About Tuhafut al-Falasifah

Tuhafut al-Falasifah (The Incoherence of the Philosophers) by Hujjat al-Islam Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (rahimahullah, d. 505 AH / 1111 CE) is one of the most influential books in the history of Islamic thought. This English edition is translated by Sabih Ahmad Kamali and edited by Prof. Ehsan Ashraf.

In this work Imam al-Ghazali examines the claims of the philosophers of his age, especially al-Farabi and Ibn Sina, who had built their metaphysics on Greek philosophy. He does not reject logic or mathematics; instead he shows that on key questions of belief, the philosophers’ arguments fail by their own standards of proof.

What Tahafut al-Falasifah Discusses

The book is arranged as twenty discussions (masa’il). Among the main questions are:

• Whether the world is eternal or was created in time
• Whether Allah Ta’ala knows particular things, not only universals
• Bodily resurrection on the Day of Judgement
• Causality: whether causes produce effects by necessity
• The nature of the soul and the heavens

Imam al-Ghazali’s famous discussion of causality, in which he argues that the link between cause and effect depends on the will of Allah, is still studied in philosophy departments around the world.

About Imam al-Ghazali

Imam al-Ghazali taught at the Nizamiyya in Baghdad and wrote major works in fiqh, usul, kalam and tazkiyah, including Ihya Ulum ad-Din. Before writing this book he studied philosophy deeply, and he wrote Maqasid al-Falasifah to present the philosophers’ views fairly before criticising them. This careful method gives Tahafut al-Falasifah its lasting authority.

About This Translation

Sabih Ahmad Kamali’s translation is one of the best-known English versions of the Tahafut and is widely used by students in South Asia. It makes the argument of the book accessible to readers who cannot read the Arabic original.

Who Should Read It

• Students of philosophy, theology (kalam) and Islamic studies
• Readers interested in the history of ideas and the debate between faith and reason
• University students studying Islamic or medieval philosophy
• Anyone who wants to read a classic of Muslim intellectual history

A Classic Worth Owning

Tahafut al-Falasifah is not light reading, but it rewards careful study. Read a discussion at a time, take notes and, if possible, study it with a teacher or reading group. It is an essential book for any serious library of Islamic thought.

Key Takeaways

A few of the lessons readers take away from this book:

• Imam al-Ghazali studied philosophy deeply before critiquing it
• He accepted logic and mathematics but rejected false metaphysics
• His argument on causality remains relevant in philosophy today
• Reason, rightly used, supports revelation

Edition Details

The copy we stock is described below. Please check these details before ordering, so you receive the edition you want.

• Author: Imam al-Ghazali; translated by Sabih Ahmad Kamali, edited by Prof. Ehsan Ashraf
• Publisher: Adam Publishers
• Format: Paperback
• Language: English

Whether you are buying Tahafut al-Falasifah for your own reading or as a gift for someone you love, you will receive a new copy. We dispatch orders the same day from our store in Srinagar and deliver across India, with Srinagar orders usually arriving within a day.

Tahafut al-Falasifah at a Glance

Tahafut al-Falasifah is Imam al-Ghazali’s landmark critique of the philosophers, available here in Sabih Ahmad Kamali’s English translation. Anyone studying Islamic thought should read Tahafut al-Falasifah at least once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which translation is this?

This is the English translation by Sabih Ahmad Kamali, edited by Prof. Ehsan Ashraf, published by Adam Publishers.

Is Tuhafut al-Falasifah the same as Tahafut al-Falasifah?

Yes. The cover spells it Tuha’fut-al-Falasifah, but the book is Imam al-Ghazali’s Tahafut al-Falasifah, The Incoherence of the Philosophers.

Is it suitable for beginners in philosophy?

It is a demanding text. Beginners will benefit from first reading a short introduction to Ibn Sina and al-Farabi, or studying the book with a teacher.

What is the binding?

This edition is paperback.

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